Chapter 29: Blooming Core

They moved deeper into the Outland, further from the ruin and the noise it stirred. The days that followed settled into a rhythm of training, hunting, resting. And in between all of that, growing stronger. Nyra had finally found stability in her core. Her casting became smoother, no longer as jittery as before, and she wasn’t second guessing herself each time she tried to draw in aether. Her trust in Arden helped too. That silent understanding between them made coordination easier during hunts, and gradually, her speed picked up. Casting time dropped. Control tightened. Her attacks didn’t just land but they landed where they mattered. She experimented often, trying different spells, adjusting the flow of aether with Arden’s guidance. And each successful hit, each clean execution, pushed her realm higher. She was now getting to the peak of the Vein Flow stage, brushing close to Vein surge. Zephyra, on the other hand, didn’t need instructions. She grew with every kill. Life energy fed her body, sharpening her reflexes and senses. She didn’t communicate much unless needed, but Arden noticed the difference. Her reactions were quicker, and she started learning how to chain attacks with her flames. That cerulean form of hers was wild and terrifying, and it wasn’t just raw force anymore. She’d begun to master it. The first time she shifted and returned in under ten seconds without losing control, But Arden had noticed the improvement since then. One quiet evening, they were camped beside a half-dried riverbed. Smoke from their small fire drifted lazily into the air while Nyra leaned back against a rock, dozing. Zephyra curled a few feet away, half-alert. Arden sat cross-legged, watching the flames. Then he frowned, reaching into his satchel. It had been days since the ruin, and he’d almost forgotten about the relic the ancient projection gave him. He hadn’t even looked at it twice. He pulled it outside, it pulsed faintly with a greenish hue. And out of instinct, he channeled a thread of life energy into it. The response was instant. The air shifted, and a system interface opened before his eyes. Vitrael’s Bloom Type: Living Core Relic Rank: Rare–Epic (Growth-Type) Bound to: Arden Origin: Said to be a fragment of the Lifebinder Vitrael’s final seed, a sentient root-crystal once used to cultivate harmony between body, essence, and world. Core Effects Resonant Bloomfield (Passive): Gradually expands Arden’s sensory range for detecting life energy- down to minute shifts in emotion, pulse patterns, and vitality disruptions. Works on beasts, plants, and even humans. Life Vein Modulation: Grants Arden deeper control over how his life energy flows, not just for healing or binding, but for tuning frequency, allowing him to, Stabilize unstable cores (more efficiently and without forming full bonds), Also Redirect life energy mid-battle to limbs, senses, or allies Verdant Imprint (Stored Technique – Locked): A powerful Life Technique hidden within the relic, unlockable only when Arden masters 3 advanced applications. Arden let out a low whistle. "No wonder the old mage said it’d be useful." Just from a glance, the relic was a lot more than he expected. The boost in sensory range was already kicking in, he could feel Nyra’s heartbeat slow from sleep, pick up again slightly when she shifted. Zephyra’s presence, though quiet, radiated a faint warmth, her life force more refined than before. He channeled another wave of life energy through himself, testing. It flowed faster. Cleaner. Even mid-cast, he didn’t feel that usual drift or pressure. That meant in a fight, he could shift focus and redirect life energy without pause, maybe even push his healing beyond its current limit. But what intrigued him most was the locked technique, the Verdant Imprint. He didn’t know what it was or how powerful it could get. The system didn’t say much, only that it would reveal itself after mastering a few key applications. "Figures," he muttered. "Gotta earn it." He didn’t bother trying to force anything. Whatever it was, it’d show itself when it was time. For now, he tucked the relic away and leaned back, looking up at the stars. The night was quiet except for the crackling fire and the soft wind brushing the trees. He didn’t smile, but his chest felt lighter. They were growing, all three of them. Faster than expected. The next day’s hunt started like any other. Arden led the way, with Nyra at his side, and Zephyra always just a few steps ahead or behind, sniffing out the trail. They moved like a pack now. Fast, precise, and dangerous. Nyra had gotten used to the chaos. What used to unsettle her now felt exciting. She found herself laughing when Arden cracked a reckless grin mid-battle or when Zephyra sent beasts flying with a headbutt instead of fire, just because she could. It wasn’t structured, but it worked. And strangely, it felt right. They were halfway through tracking a beast when Arden paused. He frowned and tilted his head slightly, his senses flaring. There was something—no, someone—off ahead. Not just one person either. His life sense picked up several signatures, tucked away like rats in the shadows of a distant cave. But it wasn’t just the numbers. It was the feeling. A churn of guilt, bloodlust, and satisfaction. He could almost hear the cruelty in the way their life energy twisted. He stood still for a moment, narrowing his eyes. Nyra noticed first. "What is it?" "There’s a group up ahead. Close to a cave. Seven of them... and one more, deeper in. That one feels.. off." Zephyra tilted her head and growled low, already restless. Arden looked over his shoulder. "We’re checking it out." Nyra nodded without hesitation. "Purity Creed?" "Most likely," Arden replied. "I recognize the energy patterns. Same as the ones I gutted at the shelter." They changed course, moving fast but careful. As they closed in, the cave came into view, half-hidden behind a thick patch of rocks and roots. But Arden recognized it instantly. One of the smaller outposts the Creed used. He saw it once in the memories of a member he’d crushed during Nyra’s rescue. He crouched behind the outer ridge and closed his eyes, scanning deeper. His life energy spread out in waves, reading each life like a pulse. Seven. Armed. Sharp tension in their flow. Probably alert, but not panicked. They weren’t expecting visitors. Then there was the eighth person. Weak. Barely holding together. Its pulse flickered like a candle in a storm, but it wasn’t from injury. It was something deeper— unstable, like the core itself was breaking apart. Whoever it was, they didn’t belong with the others. That much was clear. Arden stood up, eyes cold. "We’re splitting. Zephyra, Nyra, you’ll take the outer section. Cause a bit of noise, keep the seven busy. Don’t take unnecessary risks." Nyra blinked. "And you?" "I’m going for the one inside." Zephyra gave a soft grunt and twitched her tail, but said nothing. She was already shifting slightly, fire simmering beneath her scales. Nyra didn’t ask questions. She just nodded and drew her weapon, her stance firm. "We’ll keep them distracted." "Good." Arden cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. "Let’s see what filth they’re hiding this time." And with that, they prepared to move. A/N: Send Powerstones, Tickets and Gifts. Your Comments and Reviews are just as important. Thanks for the support thus far.